At the beginning of the new year, many of us have created new year's resolutions. Teresa shared some of hers: lose weight, watch less TV, increase scripture study, and be more patient with her aging mother. As she was preparing for today's lesson, Teresa felt strongly that she should address another topic: creating a Christ-centered home--and that is also one of her new year's resolutions.
What makes a Christ-centered home?
- Where you feel love and contentment (Linda)
- When things come up, direct family members to Christ and the scriptures. (Terri)
- Share verbally that you want to do what Christ would have you do. (Janice)
- A place where the spirit can dwell - affected by media choices, what we say, and how we treat each other (Nancy)
- Would you feel comfortable having the Savior there? (Julie)
- Having a real desire to have the spirit in my home; feeling a loss when the spirit isn't there (Marilyn)
- Where do I focus inside (as opposed to just getting things done)? (Leslie)
- Learn to act, not just react. Give yourself time to think and pray about decisons. (Sue)
Teresa suggested that sometimes as "busy-ness" takes over our lives, we may find that we are squeezing time in for Christ instead of having Him as our focus.
Our purpose here on Earth is to return to our Heavenly Father. To Him, all things are spiritual. (See D&C 29:34) If we look, we can find spiritual meaning in our everyday activities:
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Exercise
- Service
- Scripture study
- Dressing
- Sports
- Electronics
- Taking care of sick kids
- Work
- School
- Homework
- Yardwork
- Recreational and social activities
- Prayer
Annette commented that many of these things involve helping other people. The scriptures tell us that when we help others, we're serving the Lord. (See Mosiah 2:17). We're serving Him even as we do the same, menial tasks day after day.
Teresa said there are three definitions of home in the Bible Dictionary.
- Where Heavenly Father lives. Where we lived before this life and where we are striving to return.
- Our earthly homes, where we have love, the spirit, and emotional ties.
- "Feeling at home" - where you are comfortable being
President Hinckley said there are four elements that create a positive home environment:
- Spirit of service
- Practice of prayer
- Discipline of love
- Atmosphere of growth
Teresa said she loves how President Hinckley described these attributes, not just as nouns but as phrases that emphasize their deliberate nature. You aren't just serving; you have a spirit of service that is part of who you are and how you act. You don't just pray; prayer is a part of how your home is. You work at loving people. You create an atmosphere of learning and growing.
We looked at one example of our everyday busy-ness--cooking--and talked about how it can be spiritual experience.
- Robin said we can focus on being grateful for our food.
- Vicky told about how her family usually eats at the barstools at the counter. For Christmas, she wanted a special meal, so they all sat at the table instead. All of a sudden they were looking at each other instead of at the kitchen. They had meaningful discussions. The kids especially loved it and wanted to eat at the table more. Vicky said she realized that is something her young family needs--and she made it a new year's resolution to eat together at the table more often.
- Melinda said last week she was ready to go on strike and just "quit doing the mom thing." But as she considered today's lesson (along with Teresa), she realized that part of this Earth experience is having a body and that nourishing her children's bodies is an important thing. She realized as she looked at her mom work, "The spiritual experience is there. It's just a matter of it you'll have it."
- Marilyn said we are learning skills and becoming better people.
- Sue encouraged us to involve our children. Once she saved some dirty dishes in a bag for her daughter who went off without washing them when she was supposed to. The daughter didn't skip doing the dishes the next time. Sue noticed that her children were often squabbling over who did what, so she got them together to discuss a solution. They voted to just be in charge of everything on their day instead of sharing chores between them--and then have a day or two off. The fighting ended, and everyone was happier.
- Melinda said that when children do chores, they are learning to serve. Serving at home is great experience for learning to serve in the Church.
- Janice said no one person can do it all. Working together brings families together. People feel important when they have a job to do. They will come back to the place where they are needed.
Polly commented that creating a Christ-centered home starts with being a Christ-centered person. We need to develop patience, kindness, and positive self talk. Teresa emphasized living the gospel.
We can follow the Savior's example as we teach in our homes:
- Ask inspired questions that make people think.
- Use stories or parables. (Robin)
- Be an example. (Nancy)
- Teach at the level people are ready for. (Lacey)
- Love the people you teach.
- Don't give up on people.
- Seek the one who needs your message. (Julie)
- Prepare - fast and pray and prepare spiritually to teach.
- Invite family members to testify.
- Act in faith & live the principles of the gospel.
- Use Church resources to help. (Click HERE for great ideas you can use.)
Sue reminded us that Christ was perfect, whereas we'll blow it sometimes. Say you're sorry or that you made a mistake and go forward.
Teresa challenged us to memorize "The Living Christ" with our families. Teresa had 60 sets of cards that she handed out to help people memorize, perhaps in family home evening lessons. Many people took them for the sisters they visit teach, so if you weren't there but your visiting teacher was, ask her if she happened to get some cards for you. Terri suggested that you could also use an old theater trick and read "The Living Christ" on your smartphone and then listen to it everywhere you go to help you commit it to memory. Memorizing helps us internalize things, and what better thing is there to have in our hearts and minds than these precious words about our Savior?
As we start out this new year, let's remember what is most important in our lives and set some goals that help us turn our hearts and our homes to the Savior.
